Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
While the political world expected Power Minister Bayo Adelabu to resign weeks ago following President Bola Tinubu’s March 31 deadline for all political appointees seeking elective office, the minister’s actual resignation, set for the coming days, tells a more nuanced story of quiet negotiations, internal party resistance, and a final presidential blessing that came later than anticipated. Adelabu, who has served as Minister of Power since 2023, will step down to pursue his long-held ambition of becoming governor of Oyo State in the 2027 elections.
His media aide, Tunji Bolaji, confirmed on Wednesday that the minister had met with President Tinubu on Tuesday, presented a stewardship report, and received the president’s approval to resign and contest. However, what the official statement did not reveal is that Adelabu had initially missed the president’s March 31 resignation deadline, a delay that fueled speculation about cracks in his relationship with the presidency and internal pushback from powerful APC elders who questioned the wisdom of his ambition.
Behind the scenes, two of the party’s most respected elder statesmen, former Osun Governor Adebisi Akande and former Ogun Governor Olusegun Osoba, had reportedly advised Adelabu to shelve his governorship dream in the interest of party cohesion. According to sources close to the minister, the elders expressed concern that another hotly contested primary in Oyo could further fragment the APC ahead of the 2027 general election, especially after the party’s previous defeats by incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde.
For weeks, Adelabu’s camp was locked in a delicate balancing act, publicly dismissing the advice while privately working to reassure the president of his electoral viability. The breakthrough came during Tuesday’s meeting at the Presidential Villa, where Adelabu presented not just a routine ministerial scorecard but also a detailed political roadmap for capturing the Agodi Government House. President Tinubu, impressed by the minister’s policy achievements in the power sector and his grassroots mobilisation plans, gave his blessing, effectively overruling the reservations of the party elders.
The minister’s impending resignation is therefore not a straightforward administrative formality but a carefully choreographed political reset.
By securing the president’s endorsement before stepping down, Adelabu has neutralised potential challengers within the party and positioned himself as the candidate to beat. His slogan, “E mi lokan” (It is my turn), which echoes Tinubu’s famous 2023 campaign phrase, now carries the implicit weight of presidential backing. This puts his main rival, Senator Sarafadeen Alli, and other aspirants in a difficult position. While the APC has fixed its governorship primary for May 23, 2026, with nomination forms priced at N50 million, the perception that Adelabu is the president’s choice could sway delegates and party financiers in his direction.
Adelabu’s departure from the power ministry also raises questions about the continuity of ongoing reforms. During his tenure, the ministry launched the National Integrated Electricity Policy and its Strategic Implementation Plan, a long-term roadmap aimed at stabilising generation, strengthening transmission, and expanding access. The minister also grappled with persistent gas supply constraints, grid collapses, and mounting debt to gas producers. President Tinubu, in the Tuesday meeting, reportedly commended Adelabu for laying a “solid policy foundation,” a phrase that suggests the administration expects the next minister to build on, rather than abandon, the framework. However, with the minister now fully focused on Oyo politics, the power sector may face a period of transition uncertainty just as the country approaches the peak electricity demand season.
For the people of Oyo State, Adelabu’s entry into the race sets the stage for a rematch with Governor Seyi Makinde, who defeated him in both 2019 and 2023. Makinde, who is expected to seek a third term, has consolidated his control over the state’s political structure and enjoys the advantage of incumbency.
However, the governor has also faced criticism over infrastructure decay, rising insecurity, and strained relations with some traditional institutions. Adelabu’s campaign is expected to focus on these perceived failures while leveraging his federal experience and access to national resources. The minister has already begun mobilising ward-level structures, particularly in the Oke-Ogun and Ibadan zones, where Makinde’s support has shown signs of erosion.
As Adelabu prepares to submit his formal resignation letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the political landscape in Oyo State is shifting. His delayed but decisive move, backed by the president, has injected fresh energy into the APC’s quest to reclaim the state. Whether the party’s elders will fully fall in line or continue to resist remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the race for Agodi Government House will not be a coronation for Makinde. With Tinubu’s blessing in his pocket, Adelabu is no longer just a former minister chasing a dream; he is a challenger armed with presidential authority.
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